What are Typical Employment Interview Questions?

An employment interview is a chance for an employer to get to know more about job applicants for a position. Employment interview questions can provide crucially important clues both for the candidate and the employer. The type of questions the employer asks may let the applicant gain insight into the type of workplace he or she may be entering, while the answers to employment interview questions can let an employer know a little about the history, personality, and work ethic of each candidate.

Many employment interview questions center around previous work experience. Employers will want to know about applicable skills, previous training, and prior jobs that in some way relate to the current opportunity. Often, interviewers will want to know why a person left his or her last job, and what he or she liked and disliked about the previous position. When answering this question, experts sometimes say is important to be honest, but not derisive; if a person quit over a conflict with management, he or she should state the issue fairly and try not too sound whiny or victimized, as this can make the job candidate seem like he or she has a bad attitude.

Interviewers may be keen to learn about a person's educational history, if it is relevant. For a job that requires a specialized degree, candidates may be asked what motivated them to go into the field, and where and when they were educated. Questions about education can be important, but often factor less into a hiring decision than work history or personality.

Some employment interview questions are designed to see how a candidate solves problems. This includes specific questions on regulations or industry standards, as well as general questions about how an employee would handle certain situations. Not only do employment interview questions such as these help test the reactions of a candidate, but they can also reveal his or her knowledge of operating procedures and protocol.

In some interviews, the employer may question why a person has chosen to apply for this job. According to experts, workers perform better and stay with a job longer if they feel personally connected to the work and believe that it is important. Letting an employer know about specific interests in the field can help him know that the job will be more than just a paycheck.

Throughout most interviews, employers are seeking to gauge a candidate's personality through questions. Whatever employment interview questions are asked, it is often important to show interest, intelligence, and personality. Employers usually want to know that a person will show up for work, be productive and helpful, and not cause problems. Keeping these ideas in mind while answering any employment interview questions can go a long way toward getting the job.